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Growing & glowing through change…“Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
-Philippians 2:14-15, NKJV”So many times, we get comfortable and complacent,” said DeVon Franklin, a recent guest on the Hour of Power. “As a studio executive, my job is to help get movies made. And there’s nothing I want more than to read a script and say the script is ready for production. But it’s very frustrating when I look at a script and I have to admit that there is still work to be done. I know that many of you, just like me, when you look in the mirror, you have to acknowledge that there is still work yet to be done.”When we acknowledge that we’re not all that we could be, we sometimes get frustrated with ourselves. Why do we keep tripping over the same sin over and over again? Why can’t we just get it together?

“What God is trying to write in your script is patience and love. He’s saying, ‘Don’t look at yourself and what you see in the mirror. I need you to see yourself the way that I see you. You are a hero. You are victorious. You are a champion. Don’t let the devil use his keyboard to write into your script failure. No, no, no, no, no. I made you perfect. And, yes, I might have to do a rewrite from time to time.'”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, when you’re working in my life, sometimes it’s painful, and I tend to complain. Help me to see how positive it is that you’re growing me through times of uncomfortable change. As I grow, help me to glow; help me to become a bright light in a dark world. Amen.

Reflection: About which part of change do you complain? What could you do other than complaining to improve the situation? To encourage others?

Kuroda’s gem helps Yankees win Ichiro’s debut

SEATTLE — Ichiro Suzuki proceeded almost cautiously toward home plate for what would be his first big league at-bat wearing anything but a Mariners uniform, uncertain what he should be expecting.

The fans rose at Safeco Field to celebrate Ichiro, wishing him well in his new home, and there was something of an exhale. Ichiro was freed to do what he does best, lacing a single up the middle in the Yankees’ 4-1 victory over the Mariners.

“I was kind of worried, getting up on that first at-bat,” Ichiro said. “But with the standing ovation, I was really relieved. It was a special day today.”

Ichiro played just a supporting role for his new club on Monday, singling in four at-bats and stealing a base. Hiroki Kuroda was the star of the game, turning in seven innings of strong one-run ball to halt New York‘s four-game losing skid.

“Going through that losing streak, we really needed this win,” Kuroda said. “With the addition of Ichiro, we got a big win today and it was really good for me and good for the team.”

Indeed, on the day that Ichiro’s iconic run in Seattle came to a close with the 10-time All-Star trying on a road gray Yankees uniform, the 38-year-old’s swap of clubhouses was clearly the story of the day.

“Ichiro is a rock star,” said Alex Rodriguez, who slugged a solo homer in the victory. “He loves the bright lights. We have plenty of those in New York. I think he’s going to love New York and New Yorkers are going to love him.” FULL POST